The North American Indian by Edward S. Curtis

All Twenty Books in Paperback for the First Time

For generations, experiencing The North American Indian in its full written form was a privilege reserved for a few. Until now, access to these works required high-priced reprints or rare original editions, housed only in select museums and private collections. Today, all twenty volumes are available in paperback, bringing Curtis’s monumental achievement to readers everywhere.

Each volume has been carefully reproduced to honor the integrity of Curtis’s original work, ensuring that both the powerful text and photographs retain their historic impact. The new paperback format allows educators, students, historians, and enthusiasts to explore this extraordinary collection without the barrier of prohibitive costs. We invite you to delve into the lives, traditions, and stories of the Native American tribes Curtis dedicated decades to documenting, now presented in twenty accessible volumes.

You Know the Iconic Images, Now Read the Story Behind Them

If you have admired the iconic photographs from The North American Indian, now you can experience the powerful stories behind them. Edward S. Curtis’s writing brings deeper meaning to the faces, ceremonies, and traditions captured in his images. His detailed accounts offer firsthand insights into the cultures, histories, and daily lives of the Native American tribes he spent decades documenting.

Through these volumes, readers explore the complexity of tribal ceremonies, leadership structures, traditional clothing, and sacred artifacts. Curtis’s words reveal the personal struggles, triumphs, and resilience of Native communities during a time of great change. Reading his work adds powerful context to the photographs and ensures that the diverse cultures of Native American peoples are remembered, honored, and understood.

Example Front Cover of Book
Example Interior of Book
Example Back Cover of Book
Cover of Volume One: The Apache, Jicarillas, and Navaho

Volume One: The Apache, Jicarillas, and Navajo

Explore the dynamic cultures and traditions of the southwestern desert tribes, known for their intricate crafts and spiritual practices. Discover how these communities adapted to the harsh desert environment.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Two: The Pima, Papago, Qahatika, Mojave, Yuma, Maricopa, Walapai, Havasupai, and Yavapai

Volume Two: The Pima, Papago, Qahatika, Mojave, Yuma, Maricopa, Walapai, Havasupai, and Yavapai

Discover the resilience and adaptability of the desert-dwelling peoples, whose way of life has thrived for centuries. Learn about their unique agricultural techniques and vibrant community rituals.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Three: The Teton Sioux, Yanktonai, and Assiniboin

Volume Three: The Teton Sioux, Yanktonai, and Assiniboin

Delve into the rich history and social structures of the Great Plains tribes, famed for their horsemanship and warrior societies. Understand their complex alliances and seasonal migrations.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Four: The Asparoke and Hidatsa

Volume Four: The Asparoke and Hidatsa

Experience the unique customs and lifeways of these Northern Plains communities, characterized by their buffalo hunting and teepee living. Explore their storytelling traditions and ceremonial practices.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Five: The Mandan, Arikara, and Astina

Volume Five: The Mandan, Arikara, and Astina

Learn about the spiritual practices and daily lives of these river valley tribes, who have a deep connection to the Missouri River. Their intricate beadwork and agricultural methods reveal a rich cultural heritage.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Six: The Piegan, Cheyenne, and Arapaho

Volume Six: The Piegan, Cheyenne, and Arapaho

Understand the nomadic traditions and warrior culture of the Plains tribes, whose lives revolved around the buffalo hunt. Discover their complex social hierarchies and vibrant oral histories.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Seven: The Yakima, Klickitat, Salish Tribes, and Kutenai

Volume Seven: The Yakima, Klickitat, Salish Tribes, and Kutenai

Uncover the vibrant traditions and seasonal practices of these Pacific Northwest tribes, known for their fishing and canoe-building skills. Their potlatch ceremonies and totem poles are key cultural markers.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Eight: The Nez Perces, Wallawalla, Umatilla, Cayuse, and Chinookan Tribes

Volume Eight: The Nez Perces, Wallawalla, Umatilla, Cayuse, and Chinookan Tribes

Explore the diverse cultures and histories of these inland Northwest tribes, who navigated and thrived in riverine environments. Their trade networks and unique spiritual beliefs are deeply fascinating.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Nine: The Coast Salish Tribes, Chimakum, Quilliute, and Willapa

Volume Nine: The Coast Salish Tribes, Chimakum, Quilliute, and Willapa

Appreciate the coastal lifestyles and maritime traditions of these Pacific tribes, adept at fishing and seafaring. Their art, including intricate carvings and masks, tells powerful stories.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Ten: The Kwakutil

Volume Ten: The Kwakutil

Witness the intricate artistry and ceremonial life of the Northwest Coastal tribes, whose elaborate ceremonies are legendary. Their sophisticated clan systems and feast traditions are a testament to their cultural depth.
Hard Cover Version.
$19.99
Cover of Volume Eleven: The Nootka and Haida

Volume Eleven: The Nootka and Haida

Discover the seafaring traditions and rich oral histories of these coastal communities, who have a profound relationship with the sea. Their whaling and fishing practices are central to their way of life.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Twelve: The Hopi

Volume Twelve: The Hopi

Immerse yourself in the spiritual and agricultural practices of this southwestern tribe, known for their intricate kachina dolls and pueblo architecture. Their unique worldview and ceremonial dances offer deep cultural insights.
Hard Cover Version.
$17.99
Cover of Volume Thirteen: The Hupa, Yurok, Karok, Wiyot, Tolowa, Tutuni, Shasta, Acomawi, and Klamath

Volume Thirteen: The Hupa, Yurok, Karok, Wiyot, Tolowa, Tutuni, Shasta, Acomawi, and Klamath

Examine the varied cultures and histories of these California and Pacific Northwest tribes, who lived in harmony with their diverse environments. Their basketry and riverine lifestyles are particularly noteworthy.
Hard Cover Version.
$19.99
Cover of Volume Fourteen: The Kato, Wailaki, Yuki, Pomo, Wintun, Maidu, Miwok, and Yokuts

Volume Fourteen: The Kato, Wailaki, Yuki, Pomo, Wintun, Maidu, Miwok, and Yokuts

Explore the artistic traditions and communal life of these Northern California tribes, renowned for their basketry and complex social systems. Their seasonal festivals and ceremonies highlight their rich cultural tapestries.
Hard Cover Version.
$19.99
Cover of Volume Fifteen: The Shoshone Tribes, Diguenos, and Washo

Volume Fifteen: The Shoshone Tribes, Diguenos, and Washo

Learn about the diverse customs and survival strategies of these Great Basin and California tribes, who adapted to harsh climates. Their spiritual practices and community life reflect a deep connection to the land.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Sixteen: The Tiwa and Keres

Volume Sixteen: The Tiwa and Keres

Understand the community structures and spiritual beliefs of these Puebloan tribes, known for their adobe dwellings and intricate pottery. Their religious ceremonies and communal activities are central to their cultural identity.
Hard Cover Version.
$19.99
Cover of Volume Seventeen: The Tewa

Volume Seventeen: The Tewa

Discover the unique practices and cultural heritage of these Puebloan people, whose history is etched into the landscape. Their architecture and agricultural techniques are marvels of adaptation and ingenuity.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Eighteen: The Chipewyan, Cree, and Sarsi

Volume Eighteen: The Chipewyan, Cree, and Sarsi

Explore the traditions and lifeways of these northern tribes, who thrived in harsh environments through resourcefulness and resilience. Their hunting practices and storytelling traditions are rich with cultural significance.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Nineteen: The Tribes of Oklahoma, The Wichita, Southern Cheyenne, Oto, and Comanche

Volume Nineteen: The Tribes of Oklahoma, The Wichita, Southern Cheyenne, Oto, and Comanche

Learn about the diverse and resilient communities of Oklahoma and the southern plains, who have a rich history of adaptation and cultural blending. Their ceremonies and social structures reveal a complex and enduring heritage.
Hard Cover Version.
$16.99
Cover of Volume Twenty: The Nunivak, Eskimo Tribes, Noatak, Kobuk, and Selawik

Volume Twenty: The Nunivak, Eskimo Tribes, Noatak, Kobuk, and Selawik

Delve into the unique lifestyles and survival strategies of the Arctic and sub-Arctic tribes, whose lives are deeply intertwined with the harsh natural world. Their innovative hunting techniques and vibrant cultural expressions stand out.
Hard Cover Version.
$19.99
Edward Sheriff Curtis Self-Portrait

The Edward Curtis Story

Edward S. Curtis spent over 30 years documenting the lives of more than 80 Native American tribes. His mission became The North American Indian, a monumental work of photography and ethnography that remains one of the most important records of Indigenous cultures in the early 20th century.

Curtis traveled thousands of miles, living among the people he photographed and wrote about. His work preserves languages, traditions, ceremonies, and personal stories that might have otherwise been lost. Today, his legacy offers a rare and powerful glimpse into a world on the edge of transformation.

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The North American Indian, Now Within Reach

All twenty volumes of Edward S. Curtis’s landmark work are finally available in paperback. Bring this extraordinary record of Native American life into your hands.

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